$1.5 million bond for driver in deadly crash

Published: Monday, April 28, 2014 at 04:55 PM.

After a crash Saturday left two dead and shook hundreds of onlookers in uptown Shelby, the victims' family says they are staying strong for the surviving young boy who is now in recovery.

Keiah Glenn, mother of Elijah Pompey, who was thrown from the car driven by his grandparents on Saturday, spent Sunday and Monday at the Carolina Medical Center in Charlotte.

“He’s recovering,” Glenn said in a phone interview with The Star. “He did get banged up. But doctors said he is headed to recovery.”

Glenn and the family have a message of forgiveness toward the other driver, Demetrist Roberts, and his role in Saturday’s crash.

“Everybody makes mistakes. I have to forgive him. God is in control and he doesn’t make mistakes,” Glenn said.

Roberts, 36, is charged on multiple counts for Saturday’s crash that resulted in the deaths of Dorman and Frances Pompey, both 55 of Lawndale, and the injury of their grandson Elijah, 12, also of Lawndale. A memorial has been placed in uptown Shelby in remembrance of the Pompey's.

Roberts faces two counts of second degree murder, two counts of felony death by vehicle, alluding arrest by vehicle, license revoked, two counts of speeding and one count of driving while impaired.

More charges are pending, according to assistant district attorney Sally Kirby-Turner.

“We also ask for a $2 million bond,” Kirby-Turner said in court Monday morning. “One million for each murder charge.”

In court, Kirby-Turner said another reason for the high bond was that Roberts was a flight risk and a danger to the community.

Police say the crash occurred after a patrol officer attempted to pull Roberts over for speeding, according to court testimony on Monday. It was also said during the hearing that Roberts allegedly gave the police a fake name and was extremely combative with them following his arrest.

Shelby Police Chief Jeff Ledford told The Star during the weekend that Roberts ran from the crash until he was tackled by off-duty officers nearby.

“I did cooperate,” Roberts said at the end of the hearing.

His bond was set at $1.5 million and the probable cause hearing is set for May 19.

Several members of Robert’s family were in court Monday. They left quickly after Robert’s bond was set.

"I don't have any hard feelings against that gentleman," Julian Pompey, Elijah’s father, told The Star’s news partner WSOC. "I can't pray for my son's recovery with hate in my heart. I need to focus on my child. Any punishment Roberts receives will be between himself and God."

Demetrist Roberts record:

Demetrist Roberts has a criminal history in Cleveland County that influenced the court’s decision on bond.

Roberts has convictions in Cleveland County dating back to December 2000, including:

-Possession of stolen goods; Dec. 11, 2000

-Driving while under the influence; Nov. 4, 2002

-Possession of firearm; April 3, 2007, Feb. 2, 2009

-Speeding to elude arrest; April 3, 2007

-Driving while license revoked; May, 6, 2008

-Carrying a concealed weapon; Feb. 2, 2009

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After a crash Saturday left two dead and shook hundreds of onlookers in uptown Shelby, the victims' family says they are staying strong for the surviving young boy who is now in recovery.

Keiah Glenn, mother of Elijah Pompey, who was thrown from the car driven by his grandparents on Saturday, spent Sunday and Monday at the Carolina Medical Center in Charlotte.

“He’s recovering,” Glenn said in a phone interview with The Star. “He did get banged up. But doctors said he is headed to recovery.”

Glenn and the family have a message of forgiveness toward the other driver, Demetrist Roberts, and his role in Saturday’s crash.

“Everybody makes mistakes. I have to forgive him. God is in control and he doesn’t make mistakes,” Glenn said.

Roberts, 36, is charged on multiple counts for Saturday’s crash that resulted in the deaths of Dorman and Frances Pompey, both 55 of Lawndale, and the injury of their grandson Elijah, 12, also of Lawndale. A memorial has been placed in uptown Shelby in remembrance of the Pompey's.

Roberts faces two counts of second degree murder, two counts of felony death by vehicle, alluding arrest by vehicle, license revoked, two counts of speeding and one count of driving while impaired.

More charges are pending, according to assistant district attorney Sally Kirby-Turner.

“We also ask for a $2 million bond,” Kirby-Turner said in court Monday morning. “One million for each murder charge.”

In court, Kirby-Turner said another reason for the high bond was that Roberts was a flight risk and a danger to the community.

Police say the crash occurred after a patrol officer attempted to pull Roberts over for speeding, according to court testimony on Monday. It was also said during the hearing that Roberts allegedly gave the police a fake name and was extremely combative with them following his arrest.

Shelby Police Chief Jeff Ledford told The Star during the weekend that Roberts ran from the crash until he was tackled by off-duty officers nearby.

“I did cooperate,” Roberts said at the end of the hearing.

His bond was set at $1.5 million and the probable cause hearing is set for May 19.

Several members of Robert’s family were in court Monday. They left quickly after Robert’s bond was set.

"I don't have any hard feelings against that gentleman," Julian Pompey, Elijah’s father, told The Star’s news partner WSOC. "I can't pray for my son's recovery with hate in my heart. I need to focus on my child. Any punishment Roberts receives will be between himself and God."

Demetrist Roberts record:

Demetrist Roberts has a criminal history in Cleveland County that influenced the court’s decision on bond.

Roberts has convictions in Cleveland County dating back to December 2000, including: